The Road She Left Behind

by Christine Nolfi

Crushed by guilt over the car accident that killed her father and sister, and torn apart by her mother’s resentment, Darcy Goodridge fled her family estate eight years ago and hasn’t looked back. Now an unexpected phone call threatens to upend what little serenity she’s found. Her nephew, Emerson, who was just a baby when his mother died, has gone missing. Darcy must return home and face her past in order to save him.

Once back in Ohio, Darcy realizes there’s more to Emerson’s disappearance—and to the sudden retirement of her mother, Rosalind—than meets the eye. As she works to make inroads with Rosalind, Darcy begins to unravel a decades-old secret that devastated her family and forced a wedge between her and Michael Varano, the man she left heartbroken when she vanished after the funeral. After carrying the scars of that fateful night for almost a decade, Darcy is determined to find closure, healing, and maybe even love where she lost them all in the first place—right back home where she belongs.

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit, Romance, Contemporary, Mystery, Family, Womens Fiction

316 pages, Paperback

First published June 11, 2019

About the author

Christine Nolfi is the award-winning and bestselling author of seventeen novels. Look for her 2025 release, The Secret Library of Hanna Reeves.

Other works include her 2024 release A Heart Like Home; A Brighter Flame, selected by She Reads as a best book club pick and The Passing Storm, cited by Publishers Weekly as “Tautly plotted, expertly characterized, and genuinely riveting” and gold medal winner in general fiction, International Book Awards.

Earlier works include The Road She Left Behind, a top book club pick by Working Mother and Parade magazines; the award-winning Sweet Lake Series: Sweet Lake, The Comfort of Secrets, and The Season of Silver Linings; Second Chance Grill, highly recommended by The Midwest Book Review and Treasure Me, recognized by the Next Generation Indie Awards. The Tree of Everlasting Knowledge was cited by The Midwest Book Review as “Poignant and powerful, as much a saga of learning to survive, heal, and forgive as it is a chilling crime story, unforgettable to the very end.”

A native of Ohio, Christine now resides in South Carolina with her husband.

Reviews

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darcy Goodridge was devastated and consumed by guilt after a automobile accident killed her father and sister, her mother’s resentment toward her was more than she could bare. Darcy left the family estate eight years ago and she had no intention of returning until she gets an unexpected phone call concerning her missing nephew, Emerson.

Returning home to Ohio was the last place, Darcy wanted to be, but she had to find her nephew. Darcy quickly realizes there is more to Emerson’s disappearance than she first imagined. Will Emerson be found and how will Darcy deal with finding out about family secrets that have been hidden for years?

The Road She Left Behind was an intriguing story which I truly enjoyed. A well written, compelling story of family secrets, love and forgiveness.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for my digital copy to read and review.

[Karren Sandercock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darcy Goodridge left Ohio eight years ago, after her father Jack and sister Elizabeth passed way in a tragic accident. Her mother Rosalind is a difficult woman, she blamed Darcy for their deaths, and forced her to leave. The family’s housekeeper Latice, keeps in contact with Darcy, to let her know how her nephew Emerson is going and to make sure she’s alright.

Darcy moves around a lot, doesn’t stay in one place for long, and she about to move again when she receives a call from Latice. Emerson is eight, he has gone missing, Latice wants her to return home and she's very worried.

Darcy and her young friend Samson Dray, make the long road trip to Ohio, and when she arrives, Rosalind isn’t happy to see her. It wasn’t easy for Darcy to go home, she’s always felt like nothing she’s ever done has made her mother proud, she’s not good enough, a failure, and she has no chance of repairing their relationship. Rosalind doesn’t speak to her nice neighbors, Nella, Tippi and Michael Varano. Emerson’s found, Darcy tries to work out what happened to cause her mother’s resentment towards to Varano’s, and why has her mother suddenly retired from her job as a judge?

The Road She Left Behind, is a story about a dysfunctional family, Darcy discovering a decade old secret about her not so perfect father, finding closure, making peace with the past, and breaking through the wall that her mother has built around her heart. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, I really liked the character's of Darcy, Latice, Michael, and Emerson and four stars from me.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is easy to see why Christine Nolfi is one of my favourite authors. Her gift of storytelling makes it a delight to pick up one of her books and become totally captivated for hours on end.
Eight years ago Darcy Goodridge fled her family estate without looking back. Drowning in guilt over the horrifying car accident that killed her father and only sister and devastated by her mother's resentment she had to find serenity elsewhere.
An emergency phonecall concerning her young nephew has her coming home to face the dark secrets of a dysfunctional family.
"The Road She Left Behind" is a heart warming story of love and forgiveness.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an arc of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

[Rochelle Weinstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nolfi writes smart, sensitive fiction that will have you hooked from page one. The Road She Left Behind captures the core of the Goodridge family, a family broken by tragedy and long-held secrets. The stain moves through their lives affecting friendship and love until Darcy Goodridge returns home, forced to confront the past. Faced with a mother who has turned her back on her, the boy she once loved and never forgot, and the child who’s lost everything, Darcy embarks on a path to right the wrongs all while unraveling the tale of that tragic night.

Nolfi creates a beautiful, touching story with compelling characters reminiscent of the deep love and friendship found in Steel Magnolias. For family isn’t always those we are born into, but the richer connections we are fortunate to find. At the very heart of The Road She Left Behind are the powerful lessons of humanity: forgiveness, healing, and letting go, all woven together with the threads that bind family and friends. You will laugh, you will cry, you will root these characters on, and miss them profusely when they’re gone. I know I do.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ahh family secrets always suck me right in and at its core this is about secrets and a family that is broken after an unspeakable tragedy. I also love when a character returns home after leaving in haste to deal with their past and Darcy heads home, unwillingly, but with her nephew missing she knows it’s finally time to face her past, as heartbreaking and emotional as that will be for her and the family she has left.

While I enjoyed Darcy as a character it was truly the supporting cast of characters that I adored. From Samson, the teenaged boy who is Darcy’s closet friend, to Emerson her precocious nephew all the way to Tippi her old boyfriends grandmother, they made up an eclectic and highly lovable group of individuals who added a whole lot of heart to an already heartfelt story.

There was a light mystery at play here that added some intrigue and the themes of family, loss, grief and forgiveness were powerful and totally captivating. This is my second book by the author and I’m now a firm fan, she has a beautiful way with words that touch the heart.

The Road She Left Behind in three words: Emotional, Compelling, and Memorable

[Christine Nolfi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've loved every book I've written, but The Road She Left Behind holds a special place in my heart. This is my first stand-alone novel for Lake Union and the creation process, from start to finish, was a joy.

I hope you enjoy reading my newest release as much as I enjoyed writing it!

[♏ Gina☽ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book!

Darcy Goodridge is consumed by guilt as a result of a car accident in which her father and sister are killed. Her mother, the extremely vocal and demanding person that she is, cannot hide her feelings for her surviving daughter. Darcy flees the huge estate and begins traveling from city to city, town to town, taking various jobs along the way to support herself. Every year as the anniversary date of the tragedy approaches, she flees to a new city and a new job.

She is completely estranged from her mother, who is raising her late sister's son - something Darcy had promised she would do when her sister had a close call and worried she wouldn't survive having the baby. However, Darcy did not keep that promise - she could not stay where she wasn't wanted, and so she ran.

However, Darcy does speak to a woman who works on the estate once every year, so she is kept up to date on young Emerson, and how her mother is doing. One year, the phone rings earlier than their chosen date and Darcy must decide whether or not she will return to Ohio to help find the missing Emerson.

She has also taken in a new "friend", a young man who has aged out of the foster care system and who was working at her last place of employment. He is drawn to Darcy - she brings him comfort and a feeling of safety, feelings he has never known in his life. He is a kind and loving young man, despite the hardships he has been through. He begs to join Darcy on her trip and despite huge misgivings, she allows him to travel with her. It turns out he is a blessing in disguise. He becomes a catalyst when Darcy and her very unloving mom come to blows. He is a voice of calm in the storm.

The book is well written and the characters are very well developed and "real". I enjoyed the book and would love to see it continue.

[Mary Jackson _TheMaryReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my second book by Nolfi and I can't wait for the next one.
I liked this one just as much as the first one. Romance, Family, and forgiveness, did I say a little romance also. I loved Emerson and Michael and Darcy. The story was sad but well you have the read the whole story. I did want the story to go on, It ended a little to fast for me.
Pick up a copy of this 4 star must read.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

[Susan Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Road She left behind is an emotionally compelling book about a family torn apart by grief, guilt, and lies. Darcy left her hometown, her family, and her best friend eight years earlier following the deaths of her father and sister. She hasn’t spoken to her mother in all that time, and now is urged to come home when her young nephew disappears. The family dynamics in this novel are taut and honest, so many layers of frustration and hurt festering beneath the surface. The characters are well-written, true to life people who are complicated, stubborn, and endearing.

[Elizabeth A.G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first Christine Nolfi novel, but it won't be my last. Christine Nolfi is an extremely gifted writer who has created realistic characters who are trapped in secrets, hurt, tragedy, blame, and guilt. The effects of ignoring the truth of a situation and maintaining secrets or lies affect not only the immediate relationships in the wealthy Goodridge family, but also the friendships outside the family, especially between Darcy and Michael and even extending into the small community in which they live. A loveless marriage, infidelity, an obsession with careers, relegating responsibility of child rearing to a caregiver (even though Latrice is a wonderful surrogate mother), and false assumptions do not make for a cohesive, supportive family life. and when the ultimate tragedy strikes, there are no coping skills available. It is the precocious grandson and nephew, Emerson, and the child-like young adult and newly emancipated orphan and friend of Darcy Goodridge, Samson, who show the wisdom that the adults have not demonstrated. Basically a story of family and love. The author is also skilled in creating setting and atmosphere with some exciting action toward the end.

Thanks to the author and Lake Union Publishing for the giveaway of this book.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christine Nolfi has done it again. The book was wonderful, filled with memorable and unique characters. Even the ones we aren't supposed to like were great. We follow the journey of Darcy, who is living a transient and lonely life. Her one friend, Samson, was such a delightful character. Together they go to Darcy's family estate and encounter the wrath of Rosalind, Darcy's pretty horrible mother. As Darcy gets closer to her mother she unravels some family secrets and connects with her old boyfriend. Michael's family is Italian, and his nonna Tippi is a trip. Cavorting around in her mourning black, I was reminded of the old mamarellas in the Italian neighborhoods who wore black outfits from the day their husbands died. Tippi had a thing for poker and old men, and she really added a level of humor. Well told, very compelling, there are some tragic moments and some made me laugh out loud. Some parts gave me goosebumps. and choked me up...all the feelings you want to get from a book! I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well told tale about family, loss, love and endless possibilities. Kind of like finding your own North star. xoxoxo Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

In The Road She Left Behind, Christine Nolfi takes her gift of storytelling to new heights. You’ll find it all here: deft prose, troubled relationships that overcome and triumph, and a plot that will keep you guessing until the very end.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Real. Raw. Thought Provoking. This is a tale of secrets destroying lives - and the redemptive power of seeing people as they truly are. The backstories are tragic and understandable in a very real way. The actual story of the book even moreso. Maybe not a beach read unless you want to get sunburned - once you get in to the meat of the story, you're not going to want to put it down long enough to apply sun screen or even leave the room if at all possible. Very much recommended.

[Jodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read (and loved) several of Christine Nolfi's books and this book was no different! She has a gift for creating truly special characters that you don’t want to let go of at the end of the book (seriously, I was so sad when the book ended – I wanted more!!) While I enjoyed all of the characters, I especially loved Emerson and Samson – Emerson is an 8 year old boy who is mature WAY beyond his years, taking dental floss with him when he escapes to the woods on an impromptu solo camping trip. Samson is an 18 year old young man who appears much younger than he is, but he’s a devoted friend to Darcy, even when she tries to push him away as she tries to continue her nomadic way of life.

I thought Nolfi did a great job unfolding the story and slowly revealing why Darcy has lived the way she has for the past 8 years, revealing enough to pique your curiosity and keep you reading on. Once I started, this book was hard to put down!

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing, NetGalley, and Christine Nolfi for providing a copy for review.

[Joyce McGrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

I loved the characters in this book. It was definitely a book I couldn’t put down. Looking forward to reading other books by this author.

[Alicia (Alicia Reads It) · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
4.5 STARS
Publication date: June 11, 2019

This novel was a truly wonderful read. Christine Nolfi wove a wonderfully compelling story of family drama, loss, the rediscovery of love and forgiveness.

This is the story of Darcy, a woman who has been running from the tragedy of losing her father and sister in an accident 8 years ago. When her nephew Emerson disappears, she comes home to face her past and help find him. Once she is back in Ohio, Darcy proves over and over again that she won't run away from the troubles that plague her anymore. She is consistently opening up, moving forward and facing the realities of the situations she is put in head first. Darcy is truly a compassionate and beautifully written character.

All of the secondary characters were well thought out, and I truly enjoyed them.

First is Samson, Darcy's closest friend who tags along for the journey with her and sticks by her side no matter what. He is quick-witted, and I enjoyed his dialogue immensely.

We also have Emerson, Darcy's 8-year old nephew, who is extremely intelligent for a young child. He is such a sweet and vital addition to the story. I truly enjoyed how bright yet still naive his character was, and you could tell how he truly longs for a mother's love.

I of course loved the romance aspect of this story. I felt that it was such a moving part of the story. Darcy and Michael are truly soul mates ripped apart as children by circumstances out of their control and again later in life by tragedy, they have both felt the loss of the other immensely in their separate lives. Now reunited, they could forge that path of rediscovery and forgiveness. It was truly a beautiful piece of this story.

Darcy's mother, Rosalind came off as a "villian" for a good chunk of the book, but as we get to know her and gain understanding about the life she has lived, and the hand she has been dealt in her life, we come to understand her, and I at least could better sympathize with her. While the decisions she made obviously weren't the best, in the end she realized the flaws of her logic and made strides to be a better mother and friend.

There were also a few lesser talked about characters, but they were vital to the story. Latrice, the housekeeper, and basically a second mother to Darcy, and Nella, Michaels mother and Rosalind's ex best friend. They were both strong, fierce and beautifully written women in this story.

The plot of the story, for the most part, rolled along smoothly and quickly. I had originally picked up this novel expecting a suspense to be honest, so I can truly say I was genuinely surprised by the novel. It was definitely more of a contemporary women's fiction/drama.

Also along these lines, there were a few parts that seemed to move a little bit slow, and I attribute this to a lack of action or arc for the first 80% of the novel. It seemed that the arc of the storyline and action all came in at the end. While I did enjoy the novel, I truly wish there had been more suspense or action in there, or maybe the arc to have come in the middle of the novel instead of shoving all the action down our throats at the end. That being said though, I still don't feel it was TOO slow, or that I didn't enjoy it. I felt that Christine Nolfi's writing had a way of keeping me engaged even when the pace felt slightly slow.

I also felt that the secrets were not earth-shattering, and were slightly predictable for me. I did feel however that the overall message of the novel was wonderful. It delved into the concept that secrets and past mistakes can build up walls that keep you from the deep root and truth of the matter. It also proved that you really shouldn't hide the things you "think" you believe because they may not be the truth.

Overall I felt this was a strong novel filled with beautiful examples of strong and courageous women. It was refreshing to read about real and flawed people. It was engaging and thought-provoking. While the pacing wasn't quite my speed, I still quite enjoyed it, It just didn't quite hit the 5 STAR mark for me, but was awfully close. A great story of love and hope that I highly recommend.

Special thanks to BookSparks, Lake Union Publishing and Christine Nolfi for the gifted novel in exchange for my honest review.

[Stephanie (earlgreyreads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darcy Goodridge hasn’t been home in eight years, since her father and sister died tragically in a car accident. Her sister left behind a new born baby, and her nephew Emerson now lives with her mother in their childhood home. When Darcy gets a call that Emerson has gone missing, she returns home to help find him. Once there, she has to face the guilt that she has been feeling all this time, an old love interest that she ran out on, and she must begin to rebuild a relationship with her family.

The Road She Left Behind is an emotional family drama that involves intertwined family secrets. The characters are well developed and relatable, and I found myself really rooting for Darcy to find her way. I loved the relationship between her and her friend Samson, as well as the connection and responsibility she feels towards her nephew. There are some funny moments that balance the heavier content well. I also loved the pacing of the novel. The characters are upfront with each other, which allows the plot to move quickly. This is a great story of love, forgiveness, and finding your North star.

Thank you to Book Sparks and Lake Union Publishing for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Jeanniehay64 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first read by Christine Nolfi and I really enjoyed her style of writing which pulled me into the story effortlessly.

The Goodridge family have been torn apart by a heartbreaking tragedywith many secrets and misunderstandings kept secret.

Darcy Giidridge has always run from her past and the hurt which she experienced. Her only friend Samson looks up to her and when a family drama unfolds they both return to her family home. Darcy is reunited with her controlling mother, her nephew who she has never truly known and the man she loved but left behind.

This beautiful story with its believable characters really touched me. The way a tragedy can affect a family and the way different people deal with such a tragedy was sensitivity explored.

Grieving, family relationships, forgiveness, infidelity, healing and letting go are all powerfully depicted in this page turning book , I would definitely recommend . Be warned your emotions will be tested, from laughing to crying to cheering on the fantastic characters.

Thank you to the publishers and netgalley for my chance to read this book which definitely left me wanting to read more .

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first Christine Nolfi novel and I'm giving it ALL the stars! Contemporary Women's Fiction isn't my usual genre of choice but the synopsis really had my attention. I'm so glad I had the opportunity to read this beautiful story. 

The Road She Left Behind tells the story of two families torn apart by grief, secrets and distance on the road to forgiveness. The main character, Darcy Goodridge fled her family estate after the death of her father and sister eight years ago. Now news of her missing nephew Emerson takes her back to face her past. Can Darcy heal? Is there hope for a brighter future?

Brilliant storyline that had me hooked right away. Memorable and unique characters. A flurry of emotions and story of hope.

Huge thank you to BookSparks and Christine Nolfi for this Pop Up Book Tour!

[Melodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Darcy Goodridge has come home. She's been gone eight years, running from a deep family tragedy. What she finds when she returns is both exactly what she expected and startling different. As she settles in there are relationships to mend and new ones to foster. And at the heart of it all is the work she has to do on herself, self forgiveness and opening up to a new chapter in her family story.
I loved this book. But then I have loved every book by this author. She is a master at complex family drama, peeling back the layers, presenting each member's dilemma and background. The only thing about this book is that it's not one of a series, rather a stand alone story. The characters were so engaging, I could easily see a continuation of this family's story.

[Dawnny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I so love her Novels and the way the stories always pull me right me. This was heart felt and I really loved it. Left me thinking about it after I closed the cover. Excellent read.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I pick up a book by Christine Nolfi I know I’m in for a great ride. She writes southern fiction/women’s fiction like no one else. Her books are always a treat and so worth reading.

The Road She Left Behind is the perfect title for this awesome book. I started it and had such a hard time putting it down. I fell for the characters like they were long lost friends. There were a couple that I didn’t like, Jack, Darcy’s dad. He was a jerk of the worst kind. I also didn’t like Rosalind, Darcy’s mother. I did learn to like her and understand some of why she was the way she was. By the end I came to like her a lot and have lots of respect for her also.

My favorite character was Michael. He was such a kind and gentle person who loved Darcy with all his heart. Also all of his life. He was the kind of man all women need. I loved his compassion and the fact that he didn’t ever give up completely. He was resilient. He was just an all around great guy.

Emerson, Darcy’s nephew was one smart kid. His look at things was so refreshing. He is one smart kid too. He was a very kind child and had a way of making everyone fall in love with him. I certainly did. I loved when he asked, “What is the average expiration date for old people?” He was very smart and saw more than most though he did. He was Elizabeth’s son. Elizabeth was Darcy’s sister that was killed when Emerson was so small.

Samson, Darcy’s young friend who insisted on coming back home with her. He was recently aged out of the foster system and looked up to Darcy completely. He would tell her like it was at times too. He was a great kid and didn’t take his friendship with Darcy lightly. He would stand up to anyone for her. I really did like him. He was someone that you would love to know for sure. Smart, kind and loving.. Samson is on his way to a great life.

Tippi and Nella are the next door neighbors and Nella was Rosalind’s best friend until a betrayal ended that. Nella, Michael’s mother, lived a life of guilt and would give anything to turn back time and do things differently. Tippi, Nella’s mother and Michael’s grandmother was a feisty woman who loved flirting and playing poker. She loved to cook and cause a bit of mischief when she would.

Darcy.... She was the strong young woman this whole story is about. She’s way stronger than she thinks and has lived her life in so much pain and guilt for the last eight years. She blames herself for her dad and sister dying. She feels like it is completely her fault and her mother didn’t help with that at all. Blaming one child for what another does is not fair. It’s a total shame for any mother to do so. Darcy’s coming back home made more wonderful things happen than she could have ever dreamed possible.

This book is so good. It will make you laugh, cry, think, hold your breath, cringe in parts, scream, laugh again and cry lots of tears. It’s so well written and will definitely tug at your heartstrings. It’s one that you won’t want to put down until the end and then you’ll want more. I highly recommend this book to everyone I know who loves reading.

I have to thank #NetGalley and #Lake Union publishers for this copy of a wonderful book for my honest review..

It’s another huge 5 stars from me. You can’t go wrong with a Christine Nolfi book.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 3.75 rounded up

Things I loved about this book:

~This book has a strong message of forgiveness. While the characters are just as flawed as we are, their actions have consequences that cause some of the characters to struggle. It's not until Darcy learns to forgive herself that she could truly move one. Emerson is the catalyst for growth for both Darcy and Rosalind and he is such a loveable character.

~The second chance romance in this book had me swooning. I'm a sucker for a second chance romance and Michael is a great character that you'll fall for immediately. As the book goes on you'll root for Darcy and Michael to find their way back to each other.

~The friendship/mentorship between Darcy and Samson was so heartwarming. It was one of my favorite aspects of this book and made me like Darcy even more. I wish all children who aged out of foster care had a Darcy looking after them.

What kept me from giving this book 5⭐?

~I felt the ending was too rushed and that there was no true conclusion. While I liked how certain story lines wrapped up, others were left unresolved. Rosalind's character was another thing that left me wanting more. Her personality seemed to do a 180 in this book and I found that completely unrealistic.

While there were things I would have liked to see done differently, overall I liked this book. It was a quick read that kept me entertained. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys second chance romance or domestic drama.

[ReadingGirlReviews (Gina) · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4 stars

Is there anyone out there that doesn’t have family issues? I suspect the most common answer will be no. When I grew up, we had so many disagreements and issues in my small immediate family that at one point we had a running joke that if you looked up the word “dysfunctional” in the dictionary, you would find a photo of us. Here we are years later, and thankfully due to the internet; it is easier now to frequently update our family photo for the online dictionary. The Road She Left Behind by Christine Nolfi gives you a glimpse into the lives of a very similar family, and how grief, deception, and guilt can tear a family apart, but that love can always bring it back together.

Darcy Goodridge left home 8 years ago after her father and sister died in a terrible automobile accident. Consumed by guilt over the accident, and anger with her mother Rosalind, she vows never to return back to her hometown until a phone call from her mother's housekeeper causes her to reluctantly return home to help for the search of her now missing 8-year-old nephew. When Darcy gets home, all of her past comes back to light, and she is forced to deal with her tumultuous relationship with her mother, a scared and lonely nephew, and Michael Varano, the past love she walked away from without any explanation the day after her sister's funeral. As the days unfold, Darcy learns more about the mother she never really knew, the decades long rift between Rosalind and their neighbors the Varanos’ and why she was suddenly forced as a child to discontinue her friendship with their son. Darcy is determined to break through her mother's shell and mend the relationships that were broken so long ago, and hopefully find closure to the bitterness that she's held on to for so long.

From page one you will be immediately drawn to this story, you will become engrossed in the characters' lives, and want to find out exactly what happened with the Goodridge family to cause such discord. At times the novel almost reads like a thriller, because you are trying so hard on your own to figure these people out. Christine Nolfi’s writing is very fluid and smooth, which makes her novel extremely easy to read. Darcy’s mother Rosalind is an excellent example of the mom you love to hate, yet as the story unfolds you find yourself wanting to like her more and more. Rosalind is the epitome of a mother scorned, and the author was able to really project the perfect “tone” to her character in words. There were times I found myself sniggering at how her dialogue is so well written. As for the housekeeper Latrice, all I could picture was Mammy from Gone With the Wind, and in my mind is was absolutely perfect. (Clearly my favorite character of them all).
The only downfall to this novel was that I wanted more. I felt like the ending was abrupt, and after being so involved in the story and the characters' lives, I felt like I needed more depth on how things evolved. When I closed the book, I just sighed to myself, I would have loved an epilogue. I guess I just didn’t want to say goodbye.
No matter what, I still walked away feeling completely satisfied after reading this delightful novel. I devoured it. This book has just enough drama, thriller, romance and let's not forget ‘family dysfunction’ in it to please almost every reader. This is my first Christine Nolfi novel, but I assure you it won't be my last.

Thank You so much to @BookSparks, Christine Nolfi, and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC of The Road She Left Behind for an unbiased and honest review.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"We've all got a star in the heavens. one made special just for us."
This novel portrays love, family, friendship, heartache and a lot of guilt.
The main character, Darcy returns to Ohio to find her eight year old nephew, Emerson. She also will find herself in this process after feeling lost for years.
Messages have been missed, misconstrued and hidden deep under the carpet over the years.
The Goodridge family need to iron them out before time runs out.
A wonderful story with characters I will not forget anytime soon.
These people are so real that you feel as though they are friends.
If I have to pick a favorite, it would be Emerson. A young boy with insight, sensitivity and a heart filled with love looking for his star!
A delightful novel as are all of Christine Nolfi's books!

[Bambi Rathman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking back isn't always easy and for Darcy Goodridge it isn't anything she wants or plans to do. The past is too difficult to contemplate and, even worse, thinking about going back to an angry and unloving mother Darcy prefers to never have anything to do with again, is not an option. There's too much heartache and pain to ever want to return. "If you're going to roam the earth like the prodigal daughter, there are details you'll miss." This is where the story takes a turn and Darcy is faced with the decision of having to meet her past head on.
This story took me along the difficult journey Darcy has to maneuver through. I felt myself digging in with her to find the right path to do what was necessary and what was right. It's a story of finding forgiveness, not only for others but for herself. That can be the most difficult kind of forgiveness to accept.
The characters in this book are exceptional and so likeable. Well for the most part! There's always the one or two that have to "grow" on you. I especially fell in love with Darcy's young nephew, Emerson. He's a very independent little boy and is in tune with his surroundings and environment. He's not one anyone can put things past. Then there's Samson, the young foster system product who just wants to be loved and accepted. He's so wise in his young years and a true friend to Darcy. He says, "I feel sorry for you. My childhood was bad-all the moving around from one foster home to the next. Your childhood was lousy too."
The characters are woven in throughout this story in a way that made me feel I knew them in a personal way. Each one is tied to the others so that I was able to connect the relationships as the story progressed. There is suspense, some mystery, tensions that spill over, heartache, friendships both tentative and bonded. There are laugh-out-loud passages and others that break your heart. Then there is the story of Darcy and Michael....this in itself had me turning the pages! "Granted, no one sensible reignited a romance that had ended badly the first time. But forever was a long time."
Ms. Nolfi crafted a wonderful book that has healing, love, forgiveness and hope if there is a heart to open up for them to come into.
I am so grateful to Lake Union, Ms. Nolfi and Netgalley for the wonderful honor of reading this book. It's a five star novel for me. Thank you!
I enjoyed this book so very much.

[Agnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never read any books by this author but am glad I got this one because I am now adding her to my list of authors. I love the story about family because it is something I believe in. When Darcy leaves home after her sister and father die in an accident she feels responsible for, things were never the same.

She was supposed to take care of her sister's son, Emerson, but instead that responsibility fell to her mother. When Emerson runs away, Darcy returns home to help find him and becomes entangled in the family secrets, and a love lost 8 years before.


This book kept me turning the page and was a great read. It wont be released until June 11 so thanks to #netgalley I received an ARC. I will definitely be reading more of Nolfi's books.

[Amy Cummings · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of receiving an e-book ARC of The Road She Left Behind in exchange for my honest review. I finished the book last night and I have to say, I absolutely loved it. Christine Nolfi has written a tender and compelling family drama that easily drew me in. The story centers around Darcy, who has been estranged from her mother, nephew, and an old flame in Ohio since a tragic accident there changed the terrain of her family 8 years prior to the book's opening. In that season of estrangement, she's moved around the country working temp jobs for a year each before moving on. She doesn't form attachments in any of these cities- until she lands in Charleston, SC, and meets a young man, Sampson, who recently aged out of the foster care system and thinks of her as a big sister. When circumstances beckon her back to Ohio, she must face her past head-on, and in doing so, finds that running from her problems hasn't made anything better, and she still has personal demons to face in order to embrace the life she wants with the people she's always loved.

Darcy is a delightful protagonist. She's been beaten down,(mostly by her own sense of guilt) but possesses a resiliency that, I think, even surprises her at times. When she realizes that she's needed back in Ohio, she goes even though it's the last place she wants to be. She faces her critical mother head-on and builds a relationship with the nephew she hasn't seen since he was a baby. She opens up to her former boyfriend and discovers the power of forgiveness- from others and also from herself.

The story is very much about Darcy, but each of the characters are compelling. You'll find yourself wanting to spend more time with Latrice, Michael, Tippi, Sampson, Nella, Emerson, and, yes, even Rosalind by the time you reach the last page. I highly recommend this book if you enjoy family dramas that aren't too, too heavy, that have a touch of romance, and a whole lot of self-discovery. The book will be released on June 11, so go put it on your wish list now!

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Christine Nolfi for sharing this beautiful ARC with me!

In order to not share any spoilers, I will share that this book is one that will prevent you from accomplishing any housework, so be prepared to hunker down in your favorite reading spot with your largest glass of sweet tea and dive right in and unravel the secrets and tragedy that have molded the broken Goodridge family for years....

When you leave that way you can never come home...but sometimes, going home is exactly where you have to go to face the pain that you've been running from.

You won't be disappointed!

[Linda Zagon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christine Nolfi, Author of “The Road She Left Behind” has written a thought-provoking, emotional, captivating, and heartwarming novel. The Genres for this novel are Fiction and Women’s Fiction. The timeline for this story is within an eight-year period. The author describes her dramatic characters as complex, complicated, quirky, and dysfunctional.

Darcy Goodridge is finally coming back home after being on the road and in different places for the last eight years. Darcy had been running away after the deaths of her sister and her father. The dysfunctional family dynamics and deep dark secrets were also part of Darcy’s motivation to stay away from home. Now an emergency phone call about Emerson, Darcy’s young nephew has her coming home.

Is it true that there’s no place like home? Darcy is left with an emotional mess to deal with, and other problems. Christine Nolfi has written a story that had me chuckling a few times and also tearful. ( Be warned there are some Kleenex moments)

I would highly recommend this insightful and thought-provoking novel. I appreciate that the author discusses the importance, of family, friendship, forgiveness, second-chances, communication, love and hope.